358 



LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



shown, it serves an admirable purpose in effecting a harmo- 

 nious union between the house and the grounds. And sec- 

 ondly, because we have both the rich verdure and gay blos- 

 soms of the flowering plants, and the more permanent beauty 

 of sculptured forms; the latter heightening the effect of the 

 former by contrast, as well as by the relief they afford the eye 

 in masses of light, amid surrounding verdure. 



There are several varieties of general flower-gardens, which 

 may be formed near the house. Among these we will only 

 notice the irregular flower-garden, the old French flower- 

 garden, and the modern or English flower-garden. 



In almost all the different kinds of flower-gardens, two 

 methods of forming the beds are observed. One is, to cut the 

 beds out of the green turf, which is, ever afterwards, kept 

 well-mown or cut for the walks, and the edges pared ; the 

 other, to surround the beds with edgings of verdure, as box, 

 etc., or some more durable material, as tiles, or cut stone, the 

 walks between being covered with gravel. The turf is cer- 

 tainly the most agreeable for walking upon in the heat of 

 summer, and the dry part of the day. While the gravelled 

 flower-garden affords a dry footing at nearly all hours and 

 seasons. 



(Fig.53. The Irregular Flower-garden.] 



